Arriva facing fines for being late

Bus firm Arriva is facing fines after being hauled before traffic
commissioners for unreliability.

The firm blamed the traffic situation in parts of Medway and
said indiscriminate parking at Medway Maritime Hospital had been
another problem.

It expects to hear the decision of traffic commissioner Philip
Brown within four weeks.

Kevin Hawkins, commercial director of Arriva Southern Counties,
said: “We have been running late. And it is unacceptable.”

The company has to be no more than one minute early or five
minutes late on 19 out of every 20 journeys to satisfy the
commissioner.

But inspectors checked six routes around Medway operated by
Arriva earlier this year.

They found its buses were late on 13 per cent of all
journeys.

At the traffic commissioners’ court in Eastbourne, Arriva staff
produced evidence which showed there were two major problems that
had affected their services at the time of the checks.

These were parking which disrupted traffic around Medway
Maritime Hospital, and unlimited cars and lorries on the Sir John
Hawkins flyover after they were reintroduced before its summer
demolition.

Officials at Medway Maritime Hospital confirmed there had been
“continual complaints” about parking within the site.

Arriva has also been found to be operating some of its journeys
earlier than the published timetable.

Mr Hawkins said the company would be taking action to sort the
problem.
The council is warning that there is likely to be further
disruption to traffic flows in central Chatham as the
infrastructure is updated during the recession.

Since the summer, the hospital has begun fining drivers who
ignore parking signs. The fee is £60, reducing to £30 if paid
within 14 days.